Fabric-cleaning machine



June 24, 1930. G. H. PALM FABRIC CLEANING MACHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1925 jZGB /ZZfOV' Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE GEoReE H. PALM, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY manor AND MESNE ss sti- IIHENLS, TO CHASE MACHINE COMPANY,

ILLINOIS Application filed September This invention relates'to apparatus for the cleaning or scrubbing of fabrics, and has particular pertinence to the cleaning or scrubbing of fabrics such as rugs or carpetwhich may be presented to the cleaning operation in outspread form. It is of particular applicability also to the cleaning of high pile fabrics which, because of their structure, require not only a surface scrubbing but also a substantial penetrat1on of the cleaning material and its manipulation within the body of the fabric.

The general object of the invention is the provision of mechanism particularly adapted for turning out a maximumamount of high grade work in minimum time and at minimum cost. For the accomplishment of this general object I provide a mechan sm which is adapted for continuous operation incident to the progressive feeding of the fabric, or separate pieces of fabric fed to the apparatus either at the same time or successively, the construction and operation being such that the fabric is sub ected to an effective scrubbing operation and at the same time safeguarded against injury. I

Stated more definitely, the ob ects of the invention include the following:

The provision of a machine which is particularly effective in the clean ng of high pile fabrics, such as floor coverings, by virtue of the application of the principal scrubbing movement in the direction of the weft of the fabric, whereby efficiency is gained in the dislodgeinent of dirt from the crevices between the weft yarns;

The provision of mechanism which is effective to hold the fabric flat and prevent its creasing or wrinkling and avoid the tangling of fringes;

The provision of mechanism which obviates the necessity for clamps or securing devices attached to the fabric, thereby avoidingstretching and possible tearing of the same, as well as affording full surface eX- posure of the fabric to the scrubbing brushes, eliminating troublesome hand operations and expediting the feeding of the material to the machine;

The provision of mechanism which deor cHIoAe-o, rumors, A CORPORATIONQF;

FABRIC-CLEANING MAOHIN E p 10, 1925. Serial No. 55,434.

livers the cleaned fabric with a minimum content of moisture, so that its drying may be facilitated, as bypassing it progressively through a drier as a continuation of the cleaning operation;

The provision of automatically operating scrubbing mechanism which requires a mini-' mum amount of cleaning material andavoids the undesired application of cleaning mate,- rial to the back of the fabric.

Other and further objects of the inven-' tion will be pointed out hereinafter, indicated in the appended claims, or obvious-to one skilled in the art, upon an understand ing of thepresent disclosure. For the purpose of this application I illu'strate and describe herein one embodiment of the invention, the illustration being for the most part diagrammatic and various features of detail being omitted. It is to be understood, however, that this is presented for the purpose of illustration merely, and is not to be given any interpretation having the effect of limiting What I purport to secure in the appended claims, short of the true and most comprehensive scope of the invention in the art;

In the drawing forming a part of-this specification,

Fig. l is a diagrammatic illustrationin the nature of a side elevation, of apparatus em bodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a top view partly in section, and Fig. 3 is a detail in the nature of a trans-' verse section of one of the brush carriers; Described generally, one embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of brushes carried on a movable structure in the nature of an endless conveyor, whereby the brushes are transmittedprogressively, with means for reciprocating the brushes; transversely of their direction ofmoveinent, the movements of the brushes effecting a scrubbing operation'upon a fabric held to their operation in outspread condition and transmitted progressively incident to the scrubbing operation. Means is provided for application of cleaning material to the fabric before its engagement by thebrushes, and for rinsing and extracting free moisture from it after the scrubbing operation. The feeding of the fabric to the scrubbers is effected in such fashion that fringes are presented in outstretched fashion so that they will not be folded back upon or under the fabric or become tangled, and the association of the v brushes: is such that the fabric is held flat and prevented from wrinkling during the scrubbing.

A more detailed understanding of the invention will be had by reference to the illustration, wherein it will be observed that a suitable frame is provided, represented by the elements designated 10, in which frame are journalled the rollers 11 which transmita suitable conveyor belt 12 in a generally horizontal position. The upper traverse of this conveyor belt is supported in a flat and substantially unyielding fashion and is of suitable structure to sustain and transmit a Sheet of fabric delivered thereunto in out S 7 read condition. In portions of the frame a ove the conveyor belt are journalled the shafts 14 carrying the sprocket wheels 15, there being one of said wheels at each side of themachine on each shaft. These sprocket; wheels support and transmit the brush conveyor, which is a. composite articulated structure madeu-p of the individual brush carriers, one of which is illustrated in transverse section in Fig. 3. A brush carrier comprises a carrier bar 16 extending transversely of the machine and carrying at its ends the link lugs 17. The link lugs of juxtaposed brush carriers are pivotally connected; after the manner of a chain arranged to mesh with the sprocket wheels 15. The

bar member 16 is provided with seats or races for roller bearings 18 upon which ride the reciprocal brush bars- 19 which carry the brushesv 20.. There is a pair of brush bars on each of the bars 16, disposed in close collateral relationship, and held in place by the guide. bars 21 which are secured to the bar member 16 by the bolts 22 in such fashion as toallow the brush bars free reciprocatory movement. The connection of the brush carriers is such that the brushes of conjoined carriers are in close collateral association when the carrier bars 16 are in alignment, as during passage between the sprocket wheels 15. The brush bars 19 extend at one end beyond the ends of the car rier bars 16 and are provided with the roller studs 24. There is a pair of said roller studs at one end of each brush bar, the brush bars on a given carrier having said studs at the oppositev ends, as best seen in Fig. 2. The brush conveyor thus formed by the flexibly connected brush carriers is adapted to,- be, transmitted by the sprocket wheels 15 upon, rotation of the shafts 14 so as to move. the brushes in the lower stage of the brush conveyor in the same direction as the upperstage of the conveyor belt 12 and in brush bars so that they close association with the upper surface of the latter. The linear speed of the brush conveyor is slightly greater than that of the conveyor 12, so that it will gain about onehalf inch in the course of about 50 inches travel.

At the sides of the machine along the course traveled by the brush conveyor are mounted the brush actuators 25. These are strong springs having hinged mounting at 26 at the front end of the machine and on the oscillatory shackles 27 at the rear end of the machine. These brush actuators lie in the paths of the extending ends of the will be engaged between the roller studs 24 of the respective brush bars as the latter move around the front sprocket wheels 15 to the lower stage of the brush conveyor. The lower ends of the roller studs may be tapered in order to facilitate this engagement. The actuators are vibrated or flexed back and forth by the operation of cranks 28 operably connected to the actuators by the connecting rods 29. It will be observed that inasmuch as the end of one of the brush bars on each carrier will be engaged with the actuator at one side of the machine, and the opposite end of, the other brush bar on each carrier will be engaged with the actuator on the opposite side of the machine, reciprocatory motion will be transmitted to all of the brush bars thus engaged with the actuators in such fashion that the simultaneous movement of juxtaposed brush bars will be in opposite directions. It will be observed also that the extent of reciprocatory movement thus given the brush bars varies as the brush bars are advanced in the progressive movement of the conveyor, said reciprocatory movement first increasing from minimum to maximum, then decreasing from maximum to minimum and terminating upon the disengagement of the roller studs from the actuators as the brush carriers pass upwardly around the rear sprocket wheels 15. Upon disengagemcnt from the actuators the stud rollers may pass into engagement with aligning guides 30 which dispose and hold them in proper position for engagement with the actuators at the front end of the machine.

Ahead of the conveyor 12 operates the fringes at the front end of the fabric will be laid out fiat upon the upper surface of the conveyor 12 and their folding backupon or under the surface of the fabric will be avoided.

At the rear end of the machine the fabric is delivered from the conveyor 12 in a downward course, and receives the discharge from a rinsing spray 35. After this the fabric passes through a wringer 36 whereby the free moisture is expressed.

In the operation of the machine just described, it will be understood that fabric, such as a rug, after being submitted to the action of a beater, if desired, is delivered in outspread condition on the conveyor 31, by which it is transmitted under the distributor 32 and receives on its upper surface a distributed deposit of cleaning material. From the conveyor 31, which moves at approximately the same linear speed as the conveyor 12, the fabric is delivered progressively on to the latter and carried along in outspread condition to the brush conveyor. As the brushes pass around the forward sprockets 15, they move down to contact with the outspread fabric, and press it against the conveyor 12 whereon it is supported. At the time they come into engagement with the fabric the brushes preferably are not partaking of any degree of reciprocatory movement, but their progressive movement, as is the case throughout the entire period of their contact with the fabric, is effective in conjunction with the progressive movement of the conveyor 12, to move the fabric in its outspread condition progressively through the machine. As the brushes take up the reciprocatory motion contributed to them by the vibrating movement of the actuators 25, they effect a scrubbing action on the upper surface of the fabric which is effective to work cleaning material into the latter and, in the case of soap, to produce the desired lathering which is effective to take up the particles of dirt. The operation of the brushes is particularly effective in this respect due to the fact that the direction of their action is longitudinally of the weft threads, it being presupposed that the fabric, such as a rug or carpet, is fed through the machine in the direction of its longitudinal dimension. Due to the application of the scrubbing action in this fashion, the brush bristles are aided in penetrating the crevices between weft yarns, where the dirt accumulates, and work in the cleaning material and work out the dirt. A slightly greater speed of the brush conveyor over the conveyor 12 aids in keeping the fabric laid out perfectly straight and in fully exposing all portions to the action of the brushes. The closely contiguous relationship of the brushes together with the si-- multaneous movement of adjacent brushes in opposite directlons tends to produce uniformity of scrubbing action over the entire surface of the fabric, to hold'it absolutely fiat and straight and prevent rolling out or turning back of lateral edges and the entrance of cleaning material between the back of the fabric and the conveyor 12. It will be observed that every fraction of the surface of the fabric is subjected to the direct action of the brushes, the complete elimination of clamps or securing devices leaving all of the surface uncovered. The feature of having the brushes engage the fabric before their reciprocatory motion is started, and also have the reciprocatory motion stopped before the brushes are disengaged from the fabric at the rear of the machine, avoids wrinkling or displacement of the portions engaged by the brushes relative to the portion engaged thereby. The action of the spray flushes out the cleaning material and the dirt, and the wringer expresses the free water and delivers the fabric in such condition that it may be thoroughly dried incident to passage through a suitable drier. The machine, therefore, is adapted to form a part of a complete continuous renovating process which. delivers the fabric completely cleaned and dried and in condition to be rolled.

It is contemplated, of course, that the machine will be built in proper width to bandle rugs of the prevalent maximum width. Due to'the certainty of feed and positive prevention of wrinkling or folding, however, the machine is particularly adapted to handle a plurality of smaller sized rugs fed through one beside another. Due to the elimination of special securing devices the rugs may be fed through closely one after another. This contributes to the efficiency of the apparatus inamount of output. In respective of what width may be desired in. a machine, it is obvious that its length need not be very great, as the extent of scrubbing is a function of the reciprocation of the brushes rather than of the longitudinal feed of the fabric. This gives the apparatus particular value in conservation offloor space.

From a consideration of the several advantages pointed out above and others which shall occur to one conversant with the operation of the machine, it will be obvious that it is possessed of marked efficiency both in its output capacity, uniformity and high grade of work, and in economy of operation.

What I claim is: I

1. Fabric cleaning mechanism comprising a brush mounted for progressive movement, means for reciprocating the brush when in progressive movement, and means for supporting a fabric for progressive movement in contactwith the brush.

2. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a movably mounted brush, means for transmitting, the brush with continuous progressive movement and means for reciprocating the brush during a portion of its progressive movement in directions transversely thereof.

3. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a support for a fabric, a brush mounted for progressive movement in association with the support, and means for reciprocating the brush in directions transversely of its direction of progressive movement.

4. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a brush conveyor, brushes movably supported thereon, means for transmitting the conveyor to move the brushes progressively, means for reciprocating the brushes when in progressive movement, and means for supporting a carpet to the action of the brushes.

5. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, movable brushes collaterally disposed, means for moving the brushes progressively, and means for reciprocating juxtaposed brushes simultaneously in opposite directions when in progressive movement.

6. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a movable fabric support, brushes arranged to contact a fabric on the support, means for moving the brushes progressively in the direction of movement of the support,

and means for reciprocating the brushes when in progressive movement.

7. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a plurality of flexibly conjoined brush carriers, means for transmitting the brush carriers progressively, brushes movably mounted on the carriers, and means for reciprocating the brushes on the carriers in directions transversely of the direction of movement of the latter. I

8. In a fabric'cleaning machine, in combination, a movable conveyor for supporting the fabric, a brush conveyor, brushes movably mounted on the brush conveyor for engagement with a fabric on the movable conveyor, means for transmitting the brush conveyor to move the brushes progressively in the direction of movement of the movable conveyor, and means for reciprocating the brushes.

9. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a conveyor belt for supporting the fabric, a delivery conveyor positioned above the belt to deliver a sheet of fabric to the latter in depending position, a brush movable into engagement with the fabric on the side opposite the belt, means for transmitting the brush progressively with the belt and means for moving the brush in another direction when in progressive movement.

10. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a progressively moving conveyor and a progressively moving brush associated to engage a sheet of fabric between them to feed the same progressively and means for additionally actuating the brush to scrub the fabric.

11. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a fabric support, a brush movable progressively in association with the same, and means for reciprocating the brush to varying extents during its progressive travel in association with the fabric support.

12. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a fabric support, a progressively movable brush engageable with and disengageable from a fabric on the support, an actuator effective on the brush when it is in engagement with the fabric and means for moving the actuator to reciprocate'the brush in contact with the fabric.

13. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a conveyor belt for supporting the fabric, a progressively movable brush for cooperation with the belt to feed a sheet of fabric progressively, means for moving the brush to scrub the fabric during its progressive movement, a device for flushing the fabric during its progressive movement, and a wringer arranged to act upon the fabric in its progressive movement from the belt.

14-. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, means for supporting a fabric for progressive movement, a brush mounted for progressive movement, means for reciprocating the brush during its progressive movement, and means for guiding the brush into and out of co-operation with a fabric on said supporting means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name. GEO. H. PALM. 

